[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] US 'Growler' First Real Exhibit at ADEX

First Domestic Physical Exhibition of Electronic-Electric Growler
Many Korean Defense Companies Participate in Largest Scale ADEX

The 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition' (Seoul ADEX), the largest defense exhibition in the aerospace and defense sector in Korea, will feature the United States' key weapon system, the EA-18G Growler. This is the first time the electronic warfare Growler will participate in the exhibition.

According to Seoul ADEX officials on the 11th, this year's exhibition will be held for six days starting from the 17th at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, under the theme of 'Global Future Aerospace and Defense Industry Leading the 4th Industrial Revolution.' This event plans to showcase many major U.S. military air forces, including the F-22 stealth fighter 'Raptor' and the MQ-1C unmanned attack aircraft 'Gray Eagle,' marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance this year.

This year's ADEX is expected to be the largest since its first event in 2009, driven by growing global interest in 'K-Defense.' A total of 550 defense companies from 34 countries will participate, and 99 overseas delegations from 56 countries are expected to attend.

The Growler, owned by the United States, is a two-seat electronic warfare attack aircraft based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is the successor to the long-range electronic warfare EF-111 Raven since 1998. The Growler, with a combat radius of 722 km at Mach 1.8 speed, can disrupt or destroy enemy radar. Flying at 1.8 times the speed of sound, its combat radius reaches 1,095 km. The Growler, considered one of the world's most powerful electronic warfare aircraft, successfully completed its maiden flight in August 2006 and has been produced in over 160 units to date.

The Growler also has extensive combat experience. It was commissioned at the end of 2009 and participated in Operation Odyssey Dawn, the Libya airstrike operation, in March 2011. In 2017, it took part in Vigilant ACE, the largest-ever combined air exercise.

Meanwhile, 550 domestic and international companies and organizations will set up booths at this exhibition. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will showcase the FA-50 light combat aircraft, KF-21 Boramae, and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH). KAI continues to market fixed-wing aircraft targeting European countries replacing aging fighters, using Poland as a base. This exhibition is expected to boost exports of rotary-wing aircraft, including expansion into Southeast Asia.

Hanwha Aerospace will display the K-239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher and the AS-21 Redback, which was selected as the preferred bidder for the Australian Army's infantry fighting vehicle project. If the final contract is concluded, the Redback is expected to be produced in Geelong, Australia, alongside the AS-9 Huntsman, a K-9 based self-propelled howitzer.

Hyundai Rotem will exhibit the K-2 and its variants, the upgraded K-808 wheeled armored vehicle, and multipurpose unmanned vehicles at its booth. Kia is expected to showcase future equipment, including small tactical vehicles and hydrogen-powered light tactical vehicles.

LIG Nex1 will organize its exhibition space focusing on the Korean guided bomb KGGB, long-range air-to-ground guided missiles, and the Shingung surface-to-air guided weapon.

At the outdoor exhibition area, visitors can see △ Korean Air's medium- and high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) △ KAI's KUH-1 Surion and TA-50 lead-in fighter trainer △ Cheongung (radar, launcher, control station) △ AIM Sidewinder series air-to-air missiles, as well as weapon systems such as the F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.